Her Fatal Ways (1990): Nostalgia, Identity, and a Glimpse into Hong Kong's Past

Her Fatal Ways (1990)

 

In the realm of Hong Kong cinema, the intertwining of the people and their culture isn't a seamless fusion, but a partnership that's inseparable. Among the treasure trove of old-school Hong Kong films, "Her Fatal Ways" from 1990 emerges as a poignant relic of a bygone era. Many claim that Hong Kong was more open in the past. Just a glance at the distinct fashion, transportation, streets, and the famous free-wheeling dialogues in the film "Her Fatal Ways" reinforces this sentiment. Contrasting this with the past decade, we witness a Hong Kong undergoing a shift towards greater integration with mainland China, and a narrowing of creative freedom.

Director Alfred Cheung revealed in an interview that when he set out to make this film, it was with the sole intention of creating a comedy. Little did he know that it would serve as a prophetic tale. The film deliberately exaggerates the identities of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, showcasing scenes of one-upmanship and mutual dissatisfaction. It's a testament to the unique position of Hong Kong in the 90s, straddling the line between identities, languages, and cultures.

As the film premiered just a year before the Tiananmen Square incident and seven years before the Handover, it's evident that a lot can change in just seven years. Yet, Hongkongers have always relied on their distinctive sense of humor to navigate through the erosion of their cultural identity.

While "Her Fatal Ways" is remembered for Carol Cheng's iconic line about the future of Hong Kong post-1997, (「到時聯合聲明完喇、一國兩制完喇、基本法完喇，到時港幣大跌、金融大跌、股市大跌、樓價大跌，跌跌跌跌跌」).  it's in the stark contrast between three regions' cultural clashes and their differing values that the film truly shines. It portrays a Hong Kong of that time as flexible and adaptable, seemingly lacking principles, yet finding its own way.

The character played by Tony Leung Ka-fai, Wu Wai-kwok, proudly proclaims, "We're all Chinese, we are Chinese, OK?" before breakfast. Could it be that the director harbored a secret hope for swift reunification?

Looking back, many Hong Kong artists participated in the Tiananmen Square protests, feeling a strong connection to their Chinese roots. Now, thirty years later, Hong Kongers introduce themselves as Hong Kong Chinese or even simply as Hongkongers in English. Similarly, Taiwanese proudly identify as such. While we may all have Chinese blood in our veins, achieving complete reunification might not be as inevitable as some political leaders assert.

In the film, we witness a toast between Cheng Shih-nan and an old Kuomintang member. Wu Wai-kwok, the Hong Kong cop, interjects, "So, on behalf of the Royal Hong Kong Police, I toast you!" This humorous scene highlights a time when Hong Kong stood somewhere between the Communist Party and the Kuomintang. Today, asserting that Hong Kong is older than one thinks might not hold the same weight. It's a time of celebration, and perhaps, a time to sing, "Wooo... sleepless hearts; wooo... a beautiful battle!"

"Her Fatal Ways" is more than a film; it's a time capsule, a window into an era when identities were fluid, cultures intermingled, and Hong Kong stood at the crossroads of history. It's a reminder that while times change, the spirit of Hong Kong endures.